Jane Curtin: Well, the 1970’s are in their final month, and with some thoughts on this decade and the one we’re about to enter, here’s Weekend Update’s Social Sciences Editor Al Franken.

Al Franken: Thank you, Jane. Well, the “me” decade is almost over, and good riddance, and far as I’m concerned. The 70’s were simply 10 years of people thinking of nothing but themselves. No wonder we were unable to get together and solve any of the many serious problems facing our nation. Oh sure, some people did do some positive things in the 70’s – like jogging – but always for the wrong reasons, for their own selfish, personal benefit. Well, I believe the 80’s are gonna have to be different. I think that people are going to stop thinking about themselves, and start thinking about me, Al Franken. That’s right. I believe we’re entering what I like to call the Al Franken Decade. Oh, for me, Al Franken, the 80’s will be pretty much the same as the 70’s. I’ll still be thinking of me, Al Franken. But for you, you’ll be thinking more about how things affect me, Al Franken. When you see a news report, you’ll be thinking, “I wonder what Al Franken thinks about this thing?”, “I wonder how this inflation thing is hurting Al Franken?” And you women will be thinking, “What can I wear that will please Al Franken?”, or “What can I not wear?” You know, I know a lot of you out there are thinking, “Why Al Franken?” Well, because I thought of it, and I’m on TV, so I’ve already gotten the jump on you. So, I say let’s leave behind the fragmented, selfish 70’s, and go into the 80’s with a unity and purpose. That’s what I think. I’m Al Franken. Jane?

Jane Curtin: Thank you, Al. That’s the news. Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has uninimously declared Franken the winner over incumbent Norm Coleman. As surreal as it sounds, Al Franken is the newest US Senator.

Is it over? Will Coleman appeal to Federal Court? Will Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty execute the certification? Will the Federal Court grant Coleman an injunction against certification? Will the Senate Republicans filibuster Franken’s confirmation?

Coleman is holding a press conference at 4:00 eastern time, which is about a half hour away from this posting.

Addendum: someone brought my attention to this amusing clip from a debate between Franken and our favorite hippie.

Posted by request, but of less interest I think, is a brief clip of a confrontation between Al and Norm following a debate. Franken’s wife gets in between them. Not sure why it’s post-worthy, but I aim to please.

John Rogers was on KMUD last night saying that the river level is where it was last August when the utilities district called for conservation. Shorten your showers and put those bricks in your toilet. They need a thirty percent reduction of use immediately or Redway will run out of water. You can go to the KMUD archives to hear the details.

Lots of articles on a raid on a gay bar in Ft. Worth, Texas on Sunday – ironically the 40th anniversary of Stonewall itself. The police claim people were being arrested for public intoxication (as strange as it seems, it is actually illegal to get drunk in a bar) and blame the incident on unruly patrons. The patrons attribute the incidents to gay panic.

According to one of the sources, there will be an investigation of the incident. This article has photos and a video.

The San Diego Union-Tribunereports that a fundraiser for Francine Busby, who previously ran for the deeply-Republican Fiftieth District and came close to winning in the 2006 special election and subsequent regular election, was raided by sheriffs after an unnamed neighbor made a noise complaint. Busby now calls it a “phony” noise complaint, and the article says that multiple neighbors said there was no great noise at all.

The fundraiser was hosted by a lesbian couple, and by some account one of the neighbors was shouting anti-gay slurs prior to the raid. The raid involved several vehicles and a helicopter. What happened next is disputed, and one of the hostesses was arrested with a number of guests being pepper sprayed.

Honduras’ leftist president was ousted and exiled today after military leaders were angered by his bid to amend the country’s constitution to allow for another run for reelection. A nonbinding referendum was to be held today. The ballots have been seized by the military.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to ban the wearing of burkas in France. The argument is that the garment represents female subservience to 14th century Islamicist patriarchy and thus presents a threat to western liberal democracy. Therefor, we liberate the women by forcing them to wear clothes more to our liking. It’s all about freedom!

As noted below, what I characterize as a defense of choice is being argued as a position of cultural conservatism combined with left chic denial of the dangers of Islam to our own political culture. To the conservatives around here, are you concerned that the US legal system is going to be converted to Sharia law? Does tolerance of burqas increase the danger?

More practical questions – will the burqa be universally banned? From theater? Film? Should special permits be required? Should the law extend to men? What constitutes a burqa legally? At what point does a nun’s habit become a burqa? What if the women start wearing nylon stocking masks instead? Or Woody Woodpecker masks?

For those who might not remember the Bible study of your youth, in the story David happens to see Bathsheba bathing and then seduces her, knocking her up. Bathsheba is married to David’s military buddy (can’t remember the name), and so David tries to get his buddy to take a break from warring and make love to his wife so that everybody will think the baby is his buddy’s. His buddy doesn’t want to make love to his wife however, preferring the company of his men. So basically David arranges to have him killed, sending the very message to accomplish as much with the guy himself to be delivered to his superior officer. The superior officer sets him up to be killed by the enemy. God is angry of course and sends his prophet to yell at David. David feels bad and apologizes, but God punishes David by killing Bathsheba’s child.

Oh, and by the way, David didn’t resign. So neither will Mark Sanford. He’s sinned and now he’s sorry and it’s all better.

Wondering what happened to the bright and happy kid in the video. Almost brings me to tears. I think about it because I have two kids who are so full of life and promise, like the one in the video, and I’m scared that the weight of life might in one way or another take a toll on that basic joy, energy and soul; as it clearly did to Jackson despite his climb to the top of the world in terms of success at what he clearly loved.

Anyway, it’s Friday and my kids are happy as clams in the moment. Life is a series of moments. Enjoying them while they last.